(SB)

The (SB) control code sets background display mode and causes subsequent characters to be displayed as background (inverse video) characters. This is used for displaying data that is not expected to change, such as prompts and headings.

Characteristics of background mode:

• Background fields are for display purposes only. Data cannot be input from a background field.

• Characters appear in the configured background color.

• The cursor cannot be positioned in a background field from the keyboard. An attempt to position the cursor in a background field with a FORMAT statement will cause the cursor to be positioned in the next available foreground field.

• Background mode must be set in each FORMAT statement where it is to be used. Unless set to background mode, the video device will display data in foreground mode.

• Foreground and background can be mixed in one FORMAT statement, as long as the appropriate control codes (i.e., (SF) and (SB)) are used to start each operation.

a. 100 FORMAT (SB);(BF),@(10,0)
   .
   PRINT (0,100)

b. PRINT (0) (SB);(BF),@(10,0)